Tongueless cultivator



(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet l. E. E. WHI-PPLE.

yl.01\GUELESs CULTIVATOR. No. 3l2,050. Patented Peb. 10, 1885.

(No Model.) 2 sheets-sugar 2, E. E. WHIPPLE. TONGUBLBSS CULT-I VATOR.

No. 312,050. Patented Feb. 10, 1885.

Unire STATES EFFIIYGER E. WHIPPLE, OF EATON RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.

TONGUELESS CvU'LTlVATO R. v

SPECIFICATION forming pari; of Letters Patent No. 312,050, dated February 10, 1885.

Application filed February i9, 1884. (No model.) 'A

10 all whom it may concern:

Be 4it known that'l, EFFINGER WHIP- PLE, of Eaton Rapids, inthe State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tongueless Cultivators; and I do hereby declare thatv the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to theI accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form apart of this specificaltion.

This invention relates to that class of wheeled cultivators known as tongueless cultivators, or that class of cultivators having two dragbars or beams for supporting the cultivator shovels or teeth, a transverse frame connecting the forward ends of the said bars, andvtwo short independentwheel-axles which are pivotally connected with the ends of the said frame or arch, and towhich the horses for drawing the machine are independently attached.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved construction in cultivators of the class above mentioned; and it consists in the matters hereinafter described,and pointedout in the claims.

In the machine herein shown as illustrating my invention. the dragbars, instead of being attached to the frame, are attached to the wheel-axles, which are pivotally connected with the frame in the usual manner, and the said frame is so constructed that the said axles and the drag-bars attached thereto may be adjusted laterally, or placed farther apart, or nearer together, as desired,` the wheels, when the drag-bars are so adjusted, being moved in and out with the latter. By this construction the machine may obviously be made much lighter and more compact than machines heretofore constructed, in which the wheels being laterally immovable have necessarily been placed at a distance apart greater than the maximum space between the drag-hangin` order to provide space forthe requisite lateral adjustment of said drag-bars upon the frame inside of the wheels. In the machine herein shown, also, the draft-bara'by which the horses are attachedv to the machine,instead of being rigidly secured to the wheelairles, are pivotally-connected with the latter, and

the drag-bars are'attached to the wheel-axles in such manner that they may be fixed rigidly thereto, so that the course of the wheels may be guidedor controlled by the handles upon the drag-bars, instead of following the movement ofthe draft-bars,as heretofore. By this e construction the opera-tor is enabled to control the movements of the Wheels andthe for'- ward'endsof the drag'barsto a certain extent., 6o

independently of the movements of the horses, so that the cultivator may be guided in turning.

around at the ends of rows, and in other circumstances, each drag-bar and its wheel operating somewhat in the manner of a Wheelbarrow.

As a preferable construction in the frame or arch connecting the separate wheelaxles', whichis bent or curved upwardly n a wellkno'wn manner, so as to pass over the row of corn, upon either side of which the drag-bars 7o travel, the upper horizontal bar or cross-piece connecting the vertical side pieces of the said arch is made vertically adjustable with refer-. ence to the said side pieces, in order that it may be placed nearer to or fartherfrom the axles, as desired. The object of this construction is to enable the said crosspiece to be raised in operating vin places where the corn is high, and to be kmoved downwardly nearer the axles where the corn is lower, so as to 8o lessen the length of the vertical arms or-side pieces of the arch, and thereby render the frame more rigid and lessen the liability of injurious strains thereon. In the form of machine herein illustrated as embodying my invention, the wheel -axles are preferably attached rigidly at their inner ends to vertical rods or bars which form the vertical side pieces of the arch, and which are pivotally connected near their upper ends with a sepa-v 9o rate horizontal bar forming the cross-piece of the arch. The connections between the'vertical bars and the horizontal cross-piece are also preferably so constructed that the horizontal bar may be adjusted vertically upon the vertical rods, and the latter adjusted longitudinally ofthe horizontal bar, the vobject of the adj u stment first mentionedbeing to enable the'height of the longitudinal bar above the ground to be changed for the purpose above Ico stated, and that of the second adjustment to permit the lateral adjustment ofthe dragl with reference to each other.

bars., which are attached tothe wheel-axles,

the machine the draft-bars and the drag-bars are preferably connected at adjacent points with the wheel-axles, so that the draft is transmitted practically in a lstraight -line to the drag-bars, and the pivotal axis of the connection between Vthe wheel-axle and the transverse bar of the frame is also preferably vertically in line withl the points ofconnection of a perspective view of a tongueless cultivatorA embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side eletation of the same with the wheel nearestthe eye removed. Fig. 3` is an enlarged detail section taken upon line x of'Fi 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail plan View 'o'fthe connections between one o1" the wheel-axles and the cultivator-beam and draftbar attached thereto. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the parts shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of a device forA supporting the drag-bars from the ground at times when they are not in operation.

In the form of machine embodying my invention illustra-ted in the accompanying drawings, A A are short wheel-axles, rigidly attached at their inner ends to the lower ends of the vertical rods B, which are pivotally connected near their upper ends to a transverse bar, C, which, together with the rods B, forms the main frame or arch of the machine.

D D are the beams or drag-bars of the cultivator, said bars being connected at their forward ends with the wheel-axles A, and provided with handles D', and also with suitable teeth or shovels, constructed in any usual or desired manner.- As, herein shown, beams D2, provided with iiexible and opposit'ely curved and twisted teeth d, are connected with the drag-bars D by means of springs d, this 'construction in the teeth and means for attaching them to the bars being substantially similar to that set forth in a separate patent, hereto,- fore granted to me.

E E are separate draft-bars, which are 'connected with the axles A, near the rods B, preferablyby means' of pivot-bolts e, inserted through apertures in the bars and axles, and provided at their forward ends with 'hooks e, with which suitable single-trees may be connected for the attachment ot' horses.

In the form of device herein shown the front ends v'of `the drag-bars D are connected with axles A by meansof vertically-apertured coupling blocks or sleeves F, placed upon the rods B above their points of attachment to the axles A, and to which the forward ends of the draftln this form of bars are connected by means of plates D, attached to the bars, and secured by means of horizontal pivot-pinsf in ,slotsf in the blocks F, the object of this construction being to permit the requisite vertical play in the drag-bars and to allow ,the teeth to be lifted out of the ground in transporting the machine from place to place'and in turning around. The sleeves F may be clamped in any desired manner to the rods B,so as to hold the drag-bars rigid with, reference to the axles,for the purpose otenabling the movements of the wheels to be controlled by thebars, the device for this purpose (shown in the accompanying drawings) consisting of bolts F', tapped through the sleeve F, and constructed to abut against the said rods. When the joints between the drag-bars -and the axles are so constructed that the said bar s may be either loosely or rigidly connected therewith, as above described, means are preferably provided for rigidly connecting vthe draft-bars E to the said axles, whereby the wheels may be `controlled as desired either by the draft-bars,

as has been usual heretofore, or by the dragbars in the manner above set forth, the device for thispurpose herein shown consisting of apertures a, located in rectangular portions A of the axles in advance of the pivot-pins e, through which! apertures and corresponding apertures in the draft-bars suitable pins, as indicated at a', Fig.' 5, mayy be inserted for holding said bars immovably in place. The axles A and rods B' may consistv of separate pieces secured together, or, as shown in Fig. 3, they may be formed of a single metal rod bentat right angles'. The part A may be formed integral with the rod comprising the axle and rod B, or it may consist, as shown, of a separate cast piece attached to said rod.

roo.

As a lsimple and economical construction in the pivotal connection between the rods B and the transverse bar C, the upper portions of said rods are inserted in sleeves G,which are attached to the cross-bar C, and rest upon collars G, secured to the said bars. 1

For the purpose of enabling the distance above the ground of the cross-bar G to be changed according to the height of the corn to be operated upon, the said bar C is made vertically adjustable with reference to the rods B, this adjustment preferably being accomplished by making the collars G vertically movable upon the rods B. When the lastmentioned construction is used, the collars may be held upon the rods by anysuitable clamping device, that herein shown consisting of a set-screw, g, inserted through the collar and bearing at its inner end against the rod.

An important advantage of making the bar C vertically adjustable is, that when the machine is used in cultivating corn which is relatively short, the bar may be lowered so as to bring the wheel-axles nearer the said bar, and 'to thereby lessenthe strains upon the bar and connections occasioned by the increased leverage of the rods B when they arelong. -As

cornr usually grows to a greater height insoft and rich soil than in that which is'otherwise,

' the distance between thedrag-bars, a sliding connection is formed between the rods B, ^to which the said bars are attached, and the transverse bar C, joining` the rods, so that said rods may be moved longitudinally of the bar and firmly secured Vin their changed position.

As a preferable construction in the parts above referred to, the sleeves G, in which the rods B are constructed to rotate, as before des scribed, are provided with projecting portions or short sleeves G2, provided with horizontal apertures g', arranged to pass at one side of the vertical apertures of the sleeves, and in which the bar G is constructed to fit and slide.

Any well known or suitable means may be used for clamping the sleeves Gf2 to the bar C,

.ping

the device herein shown for thispurpose consisting of an ordinary set-screw, g2. The bar G may be of circular or other form iu crosssection, but, as herein shown, said bar is rectangular and the apertures in the sleeves G2 are of corresponding shape,'so as to prevent the rotation of the sleeves upon the bar and to retain the rods B relatively parallel. rlhe same effect may obviously be produced by using a round bar with a spline or groove constructed to engage a corresponding groove or projection in the sleeves; but these and similar devices obviously being equivalents of the squarebar shown, the invention as it relates to the parts mentioned is not limited to any particular means for preventing the rotation 4ofthe sleeves upon the bar C.

ln order to' enable the rods B to be rigidly secured in the sleeves G, if desired, set-screws g are herein shown as inserted insaid sleeves in positiony to bear upon the rods.

Means have heretofore been used in cultivators for supporting the drag-bars when it is desired to remove the teeth thereon from the ground in moving the machine from place to place or turning it around, consisting of devices constructed to support the said 'bars from an elevated part of the machine-frame,

' and in tongueless cultivators rearwardly and downwardly extending arms rigidi y connected with the lowervpart of frame, with theirrear ends in position to rest upon the ground considerably behind the wheel-axles, have been used in connection with s uch supporting devices in order to prevent the frame from tipthe manner described.

As an improved construction in means for elevating and supportingthe drag-bars, de

backward 'when the bars are upheld in vices are herein shown for the purpose nientioned, which are constructed as follows: Pivoted upon each lof the drag-bars D, at some distance to the rear of the point of their connection with the machine-frame, `and preferably somewhat in advance of the cultivatorpreferably used on each bar, the said arms being secured by pivot-pins h at their ends to teeth, are bars or arms H, of which two are the said beams, so that they may be placedin a 'downwardly and-rearwardly inclined position, with their lower endsA resting upon the ground, as shown in Fig. 6 and in dotted lines in Fig. 2, or folded horizontally into the position' shown in Figs.l l and 2. The arms H are made of such length that when thrown downwardl y with their lower ends resting upon the ground they will sustain the drag-bars in an upwardly-inclined position,and with the teeth lthereon clear ofthe ground, and the .lower ends of said bars are preferably provided with rearwardly-bentportions or feet h4, constructed to rest upon the ground so as to slide readily over it in the advance movement of the machine when the teeth are lifted.

Any suitable means may be vprovided for.

limiting the rearwardl movement of the arms H. soAv that when thrown downwardly they will stand at a rearward inclination, with the part Ah" resting upon the ground,the'*means for the purpose herein shown consisting of pins li', inserted in the beams below and slightly to the rear of the pivotal points of the arms. The free ends of the arms may be upheld when they 'are not in use by means of 4'a suitable hook-or other supporting device upon the beams or arms. A preferred vmeans of supporting the said arms'is herein shown, however, which consists of a weight, H, ap-

plied to an'upwardly-eXtended portion, h2, ofv

the arm H, the said weight being sufficiently IOO heavy to overbalance the lower portionof the arm, and thereby retain it in its horizontal position. ln case two arms, H, are used, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the said arms are placed one npon'each side of the beam, and are spread apart at their lower endsv so 'as to `bring the feet h* at some distance apart laterally, in order to prevent any lateral or tip- IIO ping motion ofthe beam, the lower portion of the arms,when the last construction is used, preferably being connected by abrace, h3. The arms H, when not in use, remain in a horizontal position, with their lower ends near the front ends of the'beams D, as indicated in Fig. l, and when during the operation of the machine it is desired to lift the cultivator-teeth from the ground said arms are swung downwardly until their ends strike and'engage the surface of the ground, when t-he continued for-V ward motion of the machine will cause the bars to be lifted and the arms to take a rearwardly-inclined position, as indicated ink Fig. 6. .When it is desired to lower the'dragbars so as to bring the teeth again into operation,- said drag-bars 'are lifted by means of the handles D` until the lower'ends ofthe arms H are "free from t-he ground, when the said arms may be swung upwardly and forwardly by the hand, and will be held in their horizontal position by the action of the weight H.

In order to enable 'the arms to be moved when desired by the operator withoutleaving his position behind the cultivator, suitable op erativev connections between the said bars and the handles of the cultivator are desirably provided,which, as herein shown, consist of rods I, pivotally connected with the upwardly-pro jecting portion h? of the. arms H at 'a point above the pivotal point of said arms and exhandles D. The said rods I, as herein shown, f

tending rearwardly to the rear ends of the are provided with upturned ends t', adjacent said curved parts until they encounter the uplto the curved ends of the handles D. and'located in-such position that when it is desired to throw the arms H downwardly the hands of the operator, which grasp the curved parts of the said handles D. may be slipped along flected upwardly-or forwardly from the pivotal pin of the said arm to the point of connection with the rod I, so that when the said a-rm is in a horizontal position, as indicated in Fig. 1, the rod will operate upon the part h2' in prop'er direction to swing the said arm about its pivotal point.

lThe means for supporting the dragbars herein shown areobviously applicable to tongued and other kinds of cutivators. as well as to the cultivator herein shown, and I desire, therefore, -to claim such supporting device, broadly, without limitation as to the partielllar form of cultivator to which it is applied.

In order to support the frameor arch herein shown in an, upright position when the drag-bars D are supported by the arms H, as above described, the pivotal connections between the sleeves orcouplings F and the bars D are preferably constructed'to permit a limited vertical movement lonly in the bars. In the construction herein shown forvthis purpose,and illustrated more clearlyin Fig. 5, the" plates D3` which are secured to the forwardV ends of the bars D, as before described, are provided with upturned ends d3, which fit in the slotsfin the said couplings F, the part-s d* being constructed to abut at their lower portions, d, against the inner surfaces, f2, of the slotsf when the bars are horizontal, and the upper portions, di. of the forward edges of the said parts d3 being slightly inclined to the parts d', so as to strike the said inner portions, f 2,'

when the bars D are swung slightly upward from their horizontal positions.

The connections of the drag-bars D and the couplings F are arranged to permit asuficient movement in t-he Ysaid bars to allow one bar to b'e swung upwardly without moving the frame when the bars are lifted independently, as may be ,the case when the arms H are thrown down at different .timesor when the arms are released by lifting the drag-bars separately.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination, with the frame or arch of a tongueless cultivator, of separate Wheelaxles pivotally connected with `the frame,

drag-bars attached to the' wheel-axles by latferallyrigid connections, and draftmods pivotvally connected with said wheel-axles, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. A

2.` The combination, with the frame of a tongueless cultivator, of separate wheel-axles connected with the frame, drag-bars `and draft-bars connected with the wheel axles, and pivot-al connections-between the drag-bars and the axles and the draft-bars,and the axles constructed to permit either Vthe drag-bars orl the draft-bars to be rigidly secured'` to said axles as desired, substantiallyA as and for thepurpose set forth.

3. The combination, with the separate wheel-axles A, drag-bars attachedto the ax-` les, and vertical rods B, rigidly secured to the said axles, of a'transverse bar, C, connecting the rods B, sleeves G, constructed to rotate upon the rods B, and having sliding connection with the bar G, andmeans for clamping l the said sleeves to the said bar, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination, with the wheel-axles A, drag-bars connected with the axles, and vertical cylindrical rods B, rigidly connected with the said axles, of a transverse bar, C, connecting the said rods B, sleeves G, constructed to rotate upon the rods B, and rigidly connected With-the transverse bar C, collars G', located upon the rods B,beneath the sleeves G, 'and means for adjustably securing said collars to the rods, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. The combination, with the separate IOO IIO

wheel-axles A,vertical rods B,'rigidly attached.

to said axles, and drag-bars D, of couplingblocks F, attached to the drag-bars, and provided with cylindric apertures constructed to fit-upon thecylindric lower ends of the rods B, clamping devices for secu ring the couplingblocks rigidly upon the said rods, draft-bars connected with the wheel-axles at points adjacent to the rods, and a transverse bar, C, pivotall y connected with the said rods, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination, with the drag-bar of a cultivator, of an arm, H, pivotally connected with the said bar, and a counterbalance-weight, H', applied to the said arm above its pivotal point, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. The combination, with the drag-bar of a cult-ivator, of an arm, H, pivotally connected with the. saidbar, a counterbalance-weight, H', attached to the arm above its pivotal point, and a rod, I, connected with said arm and extending to a point uponthe machine Within the reach vof the operator, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. The combination, with the drag-bar of a cultivator having` a handle, D', of an arm, H, pivotali y connected with the said drag-l ar,and

arod, l, connected with the said arm at one end,

having sliding connection with the handle D at its opposite end, and provided with an apertured portion, t', substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. The combination, with the frame and drag-bars of a tongueless cultivator, of coupling-blocks F, connected With the frame, and

my invention I afiix my'signature in presence of two witnesses.

EFFINGER E. WHIPPLE.

Witnesses:

A. C. DUTToN, JOSEPH GARR. 

